The new advice note details new conditions under which the transition audit may start by the end of 2017 and be completed by 31 March 2018. This does not include an extension of the transition period.

What does this mean for certificate holders?

The possible time for transition audits to be ongoing is effectively lengthened. Certificates that were issued for V2-1 of the controlled wood standard will expire after 30 June 2018 without any further notification.

This means that certificate holders can book audits with their certification bodies secure in the knowledge that the requirements will not change and that there will be time to enact the transition.

You can find the revised directive with the new advice note FSC-ADV-20-011-09 here.